Testosterone is a hormone that stimulates sexual development in male human beings. It is primarily responsible for maintenance of the male reproductive system. It belongs to a family of hormones called androgens. Androgens
are produced primarily by the testicles, a pair of male sex glands. The ovaries in females and the adrenal glands in both sexes also yield small amounts of testosterone and other androgens. Testosterone is a steroid compound, which also promotes masculinization.
During a boy’s early teenage years, his testicles are stimulated by a hormone from the pituitary gland (LH and FSH) to secrete increasing amounts of testosterone, particularly during sleep. Testosterone enters the blood and acts on certain tissues in the body to cause various physical changes. These changes include growth of hair on ‘the face and in the genital area, muscle development, deepening of the voice, and maturation of the sex organs.
Testosterone, and pituitary FSH also helps in the reproduction of sperm by the testicles. After a man reaches old age, the testicles produce smaller amounts of testosterone.
